| Battle of El-Moungar | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of South-Oranese Campaign | |||||||
Monument to the French Foreign Légionnaires who died during the Sud-Oranais campaign |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| France | Moroccan Berbers | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Captain Vauchez †, then Lieutenant Selchauhansen †, then Maréchal-des-logis Damien †, then Sergent-fourrier Tisserand (WIA), then Corporal Detz | |||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 113 Légionnaires 2 Mokhaznis 20 Spahis |
1,000 Horsemen | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 38 dead, 49 wounded | Unknown | ||||||
The Battle of El-Moungar was a battle fought, during the South-Oranese Campaign, between a contingent of the French Army of Africa, especially the French Foreign Legion, and Morrocan Tribesmen.
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In the early twentieth century, France faced numerous incidents, attacks and looting by uncontrolled armed groups, in the newly controlled areas in the south of Oran (Algeria).[1] Under the command of General Lyautey, the French army's mission was to protect these areas newly occupied in the west of Algeria, near the poorly defined Moroccan boundaries.[2]
This loose boundary, between French Algeria and the Sultanate of Morocco, promotes incursions and attacks perpetrated by Moroccan tribesmen.[3]
On 17 August 1903, the first battle of the South-Oranese campaign had place in Taghit, where French Foreign legionnaires were assailed by a contingent of more than 1,000 well-equipped Berbers.[4] For 3 days, the legionnaires repelled repeated attacks of an enemy more than 10 times higher in number, and inflicted huge losses to the attackers, forcing them finally to a hasty retreat.[5]
Few months after the Battle of Taghit, 148 legionnaires of the 22nd mounted company, from the 2e REI, commanded by Captain Vauchez and Lieutenant Selchauhansen, 20 Spahis and 2 Mokhaznis, escorting a supply convoy, were ambushed, on September 2, by 3,000 Moroccans marauders, at 9:30 am.[6]
The first shots wounded or killed half of the detachment. Most NCOs and both officers (Vauchez and Selchauhansen) were killed in the first stage of the fight.[7] At 10:30 am, sergent-fourrier Tisserand, who commands the survivors sent two cavalrymen to Taghit, for reinforcements. They immediately hit the road.[8]
About forty survivors, commanded by Tisserand, gathered on a nearby hill and under a scorching sun, without water on hot sand, kept head to the enemy for more than eight hours.[9] Near the end of the battle, Tisserand, wounded, gave command to Corporal Detz, the highest ranked man still able. Only at 5 pm they were released by Captain de Sulbielle, who rushed from Taghit with his Spahis.[10] At the sight of the approaching French cavalry, Moroccans retreated by small groups.[11]
A presidential decree granted to all survivors of the battle, the Colonial Medal and sergent-fourrier Tisserand was made lieutenant.